ALBERT

Notizen: An early segregation of germ cells and migration through a germ track into the gonad does not occur in the albino rat. The germ cells are produced only from the peritoneum of the genital region and their earliest formation is coincident with the thickening of the coelomic epithelium to form the genital ridge. This takes place eleven days after insemination in embryos of approximately 18 somites. Germ cells continue to form from the peritoneum during the early development of the gonad. The peritoneum of this region also produces mesenchyme, smaller cells of the gonads, and the germinal epithelium.The argument for the specific character of the germ cells in vertebrates and their continuity from the egg is based largely upon assumption, and not upon substantial observations, and must be discarded. Germ-cell origin is a problem of cellular differentiatio, and not of early segregation.

Notizen: Painted turtles, gopher tortoises, and terrapins were fed on various mixtures of sand, salts, dextrin, casein, cod-liver oil, wheat, eggs, lettuce, and meal worms. Each individual was weighted weekly for about a year and then killed for analysis, the water, ash, nitrogen, and fat being determined. Some individuals increased in weight as much as 75 per cent, others lost weight. Judged by growth and chemical analyses, the food requirements of chelonians, as representative poikilothermal vertebrates toward nutritive substances (including vitamines) are similar to those of homoiothermal animals.

Notizen: Of the eggs laid by Fasciolaria about 1 per cent develop into veligers, about 2 per cent more undergo a few cleavage divisions, and about 97 per cent do not divide at all. The 99 per cent that fail to develop normally are ‘swallowed’ by the veligers. This study concerns itself chiefly with the ova that do not divide. Notes on normal development and on the ova that undergo atypical cleavage are included.All of the ova are found to be typical when passed from the ovary. To each ovum one to several sperms become attached at the vegetal pole in the region of a mass of undifferentiated protoplasm - the ‘polar mass.’ A fertilization cone forms in each ovum and a fertilization membrane. In typical development a yolk lobe is formed, the sperm enters in the usual way, and fertilization is completed as in many other mollusks. In 97 per cent of the ova the yolk lobe is not formed and the sperm does not enter. In these cases the wall of the egg nucleus remains intact a long time. The nucleus itself and the ‘polar mass’ sink into the egg and meet at the center. Then the nuclear wall disappears and an atypical diaster is formed. However, cleavage is not begun and the chromosomes form vesicles that remain near the center of the ovum until it is ‘swallowed’ and digested by the veliger.

Notizen: A special type of cell, called ‘Lichtzellen’ by Hesse, was found in the photosensitive regions of the earthworm. Wherever the epidermis is most sensitive to light these cells are most abundant. They are found in the epidermis of all segments of the body and also in nerve enlargements of the prostomium and the caudal segment, but the intersegmental and ventral regions of the different segments, except the more distal ones, contain none of them. They are supplied by nerves and each contains a characteristic inner structure, the optic organelle, composed of a large central hyaline structure, the lens, which is surrounded by a dense network of nerve fibrillae, the retinella. In hanging drops the lens was found to focus light in the region of the retinella irrespective of the direction of the rays.These cells are similar in structure and function to the visual cells in leeches. Available data indicate that these cells function as photoreceptors and that the fibrillae of the retinella are the direct receptors of light stimuli.Pigment is not associated with the photoreceptors in a way that suggests direct functional relationship, but there is a subepidermal pigment layer through which pinhole windows admit light along the path of nerves to each of the nerve enlargements containing photoreceptor cells. These windows open in such directions as to determine the direction of withdrawal of the worm.

Notizen: The effect of removal of the liver has been noted in fishes, frogs, and turtles. As in the higher vertebrates, removal of the liver produced a fall in blood sugar and a loss in muscular tone. The lower vertebrates failed to respond to intravenous injections of glucose, as do the birds and mammals. They also fail to respond to maltose or levulose. The liver maintained the blood-sugar level in the lower vertebrates, which is necessary for the maintenance of life.The mechanism of carbohydrate metabolism in the lower vertebrates may be different from that in the higher ones, in that glucose, when injected intravenously, apparently exercises a progressively less beneficial effect on the characteristic hypoglycemic condition which follows the removal of the liver of mammals and cold-blooded vertebrates.

Notizen: This paper reports experiments with Fundulus heteroclitus to modify larval development by means of ultraviolet radiation. Eggs were exposed to radiation at various intervals after fertilization for varying periods of time. The results accord with previous work on fish teratology, and the developmental types obtained are essentially similar to those produced by chemicals, cold, and hybridization. The deviations from normal development occur in the same body regions as do those in other vertebrates whose early development has been modified by the action of radiation (x-rays, radium, etc.).The results of these experiments indicate that there is a non-specificity in susceptibility relations with the production of similar types of monsters for widely different reagents. That these eggs are differentially susceptible to the action of ultraviolet radiation is indicated by the fact that those regions which have the highest metabolic activity when an inhibiting influence is active are the ones most generally affected. Thus modifications of the nervous system, sense organs, circulatory system, tail region, and body axis result, respectively, in the production of varying degrees of cyclopia, inadequate circulation, short, stubby or bent, non-motile tails (some bifid), and anterior twinning.As these modifications may be produced by applying inhibiting influences during the first few minutes after fertilization, it is evident that there is in the egg at this stage some constitutional or physiological basis which determines early differences in susceptibility of its various parts.

Notizen: Paramecium caudatum becomes much elongated upon centrifuging at 21,000 times gravity. The chromatin is sometimes forced from the achromatic matrix of the macronucleus. The materials in the cell are redistributed according to their relative specific gravities as follows: At the centrifugal end of the cell, crystals, layer of fluid, micronucleus and macronuclear chromatin, food vacuoles and neutral red inclusions, achromatic matrix of the macronucleus, endoplasm with large clear alveoli, and fat, at the centripetal end of the cell. The contracting vacuole is displaced sometimes but not the feeding canals or pore. In some cases the crystals, micronucleus and macronuclear chromatin may be extruded from the cell. Animals which survive centrifuging regain their usual shape and the disturbed materials return to their usual distribution rapidly. Sometimes the crystals remain in large compact masses and are so passed to the daughter cells upon fission. The two components of the macronucleus do not fuse the macronuclear chromatin regenerates an achromatic matrix, and division is somewhat delayed. The old macronuclear matrix persists over a long time and sometimes interferes with division. Animals which have no micronucleus may survive and divide, but no amicronucleate races have been established. Apparently macronuclear chromatin is necessary for the survival and division of P. caudatum; in the absence of the macronuclear chromatin no replacement occurs from the micronucleus. The membrane of the contracting vacuole is temporary.

Notizen: The last muscle in the transverse superficial throat series in all genera of salamanders is here called ‘gularis.’ This eliminates a long list of synonyms. A description of its metamorphic changes in Dicamptodon (Ambystomidae) and comparison of the larval and adult conditions in this genus with those in other known genera clears up the homologies of the muscle throughout the series. The study is based on dissections and a survey of the literature covering all important groups except the Hynobiidae.

Notizen: The skull, mandible, atlas, scapula and the six long bones from seventy-four male and sixty-nine female skunk skeletons were weighed. Nine dimensions of the skull, two dimensions of the mandible and of the scapula, the length of the os coxa and the lengths of the same six long bones, were measured from 99 male and 109 female skeletons.The weights of the skull and of the nine bones are significantly heavier in the male skunks and all but one of the linear measurements are likewise significantly greater in the males. The weights and the linear dimensions of the skull and the mandible are more variable in the males but the lengths of the long bones are more variable in the females.The rather high positive correlations of the skull weight and the weights of the other parts of the skeleton studied, show that the weight of the skull is a good criterion of the weights of the other bones. These correlations are slightly higher in the males. The nineteen linear dimensions are likewise well correlated with the skull length. They average somewhat higher in the females.The data on the symmetry of the paired bones are not very conclusive, but there is a preponderance of heavier and longer right bones and a crossed symmetry is suggested.

Notizen: The Mexican scorpion Centruroides shows exactly the same type of chondriokinesis (by ring formation) as that hitherto known only in the related form Centrurus, as earlier reported by one of us ('31). The Golgi bodies show no trace of ring formation but are distributed by random assortment like that of the chondriosomes in other scorpions. The Golgi bodies, clearly visible in vivo, show the typical plate-like or lamellar structure characteristic of them in other forms. In the first division, after Weigl, there appear to be two metaphase stages, an earlier one in which the dictyosomes are irregularly scattered and a later one in which they tend to mass near the mitotic poles. In the same division, after Champy-Kull, the (presumable) dictyosomes are regularly massed near the poles and may be traced through the whole mitosis. The neural red bodies (‘vacuome’) undergo an irregular distribution and are cast out in the slough. The problem of distribution and localization in the sperm-cell formation are discussed with reference to the principle of genetic continuity in the germ cell.

Notizen: Accounts of cortical adrenal development in urodeles are few in number and mostly incomplete from the point of view of development. Hence, an investigation was initiated to fill in existing gaps and present a complete developmental history of the glands in one of the urodeles.The primary anlagen of the cortical adrenal (interrenal) were seen first in the 8.8-mm. embryo as paired or unpaired cell groups in the interrenal area of the 'tween zone lying either in contact with or just beneath the coelomic epithelium. It was not possible to determine definitely whether they originate from the coelomic mesothelium or from the subjacent mesenchyme. Subsequent primordia are formed continuously throughout the period of larval development in an antero-posterior time sequence. Almost immediately they become associated with the postcaval system and the relationship thus established persists throughout life. There is no evidence of a budding process as described by Albrand ('08).During development there is a progressive increase in the size and number of cortical masses, an increase in the total area occupied by them, and a posterior shifting of the tissue as a whole as determined by its position in relation to the spinal ganglia. The definitive distribution is attained at the time of metamorphosis. The tissue occurs abundantly along the postcava, but strands along the median edge of the mesonephroi, as in some urodeles, are only sparingly developed.

Notizen: Panniculus carnosus is well developed in the five Didelphids studied. It is described in three parts: pars dorsalis, pars thoracoabdominalis and pars pudenda, in Marmosa, Didelphis, Metachirops, Metachirus and Chironectes, and in Orolestes, a caenolestid marsupial. Pars dorsalis is well developed in all five genera, but not so well developed as in Orolestes; pars thoracoabdominalis is present in all five Didelphids, but not in Orolestes; and the degree of development of pars pudenda is correlated with the development of the pouch, being absent in Orolestes, weak in Marmosa and strong in both males and females of the other genera. In Chironectes, in which genus the male develops a pouch, pars pudenda is strikingly developed. The ‘sphincter marsupii’ of other writers is considered to be a portion of pars pudenda.In early development an epidermal ridge arises surrounding part of the mammary area. In Marmosa these ridges move laterally and posteriorly before the expanding mammary area. In Didelphis, Metachirops, Metachirus and Chironectes the ridges form the lips of the pouch. The pouch is formed when the ridges remain stationary and the expanding mammary area throws the skin into a double-walled fold.

Notizen: The Gelgi bodies in Meretrix casta being visible in fresh eggs, an attempt was made to elucidate the nature of the contents of neutral red vacuoles. These are neo-formations which arise on treatment with neutral red Ringer. As recent researches have shown that neutral red forms compounds with enzymes, it is suggested that the new vacuoles in Meretrix are visible products of the attempt of the Golgi apparatus to eliminate neutral red which is a foreign substance to the egg. The function of Golgi bodies in the control of cell metabolism by production of intra-cellular enzymes is discussed.

Notizen: The reproductive organs of Bruchus quadrimaculatus Fabr., and B. (Callosobruchus) chinensis L., including histology are described in detail. The role of the different parts of the male and female copulatory apparatus is discussed and the physical composition and function of the secretions of the accessory glands are indicated. The specific differences in the structure of the genitalia of the two species are shown.

Notizen: Using the percentage of mitotic figures in the cells as an index, a study was made of the distribution of cell multiplication in the development of the chick embryo. Counts were made of all regions in embryos ranging from the embryonic shield stage to sixteen somites, and of the neural and sensory epithelia and axial mesoderm of older embryos. Figures are presented which are believed to establish the sufficiency of mitotic division in producing the cell increases in the early embryo. In the developing primitive streak, areas of superior division rate were found in the presumptive medullary plate ectoderm at the sides of the streak. The node and the primitive plate tend to exhibit lower rates than the axis of the streak. The posterior nerve cells multiply more rapidly than the average of the neural tube, and areas of activity in the mesoderm tend to be located near the posterior end. An antero-posterior gradient of the index is indicated in the anterior neural tube, meeting a transient postero-anterior gradient of the hinder cord in the yolk-sac region. A lower rate of division in the floor than in the sides of the neural ectoderm may be implicated in the inrolling of the medullary plate and in the ventral ourvature of older embryos. All indices drop progressively with advancing age and differentiation.

Notizen: In the fifty generations of reared Nemeritis, males have been totally lacking. Oogenesis is atypical in (1) the occurrence of a pronounced and lengthy prochromosome stage, (2) the partial fusion of the eleven tetrads at early first anaphase, (3) following first anaphase, a return of all dyads from both poles to form a common second metaphase plate consisting of twenty-two separate dyads, (4) a second division which forms a single polar nucleus and an egg nucleus, each with twenty-two chromosomes, (5) the parthenogenetic development of the egg nucleus with twenty-two chromosomes. Oviposition, which occurs at first anaphase, is followed by a pronounced swelling of the egg through osmosis. Oogonia, follicle cells, cleavage nuclei and somatic cells in later embryogeny all show twenty-two metaphase chromosomes, while pupai tissue shows also tetraploid and octoploid complexes.

Notizen: Descriptions and figures of the subordinate sex-organs are given for thirty species taken at random throughout the entire family.It is found: that the higher genera have organs not present in the lower; that they have a storage sac for mineral particles to be added to the secreted capsules within which the eggs will develop; that the anus is more or less fused to the mouth of the oviduct to allow of easy passage of the above materials from anus to oviduct; that spermatophores grade from simple elongated tubes of the lower to stout double tubes with various forms, with spicules, or with spirals, in the higher forms; that the sacs for holding the spermatophores may be simple, when the spermatophores are cast out after discharge, but are more evolved when spermatophores are to be permanently retained and digested; that while lower forms have no sex organs upon the head, peculiar organs occur in the higher genera, in one or both sexes.These organs have value as aids in classification of genera within the family Neritidae. The very marked coordination among these organs may be better understood when further observation reveals how they are used in sperm transfer.

Notizen: Anatomically, the structure of the pancreas in four species of anura studied, is very similar during various stages of development. The gland is greatly reduced in size during both artificially induced and natural metamorphosis. When metamorphosis is artificially induced, the regression of the pancreas occurs somewhat earlier and is a little more rapid than in the case of natural metamorphosis, but the condition exhibited at the end of the phenomenon is similar in each case. Correlated with the anatomical regression during metamorphosis, many of the acinous cells, small collecting ducts and sinusoidal capillaries, undergo degeneration. This histolysis occurs somewhat earlier in animals that undergo artificially induced metamorphosis, but regeneration occurs about the same time in both metamorphic types. Most of the degenerated elements are autolyzed in situ; some are sloughed into sinusoidal capillaries; while a small number are eliminated through pancreatic ducts. It is doubtful whether these elements are ingested by phagocytes. The pancreas, in certain cases during later stages of metamorphosis, appears to take on a temporary hematopoietic function leading to the differentiation of red blood cells. Zymogen granules, lipoid granules, and X-granules are demonstrated in the anuran pancreas. X-granules, found in the larvae, are indeterminate in nature and are quite probably remnants of vitelline material found in the early embryo.

Notizen: The clam Mya differs from other pelecypods which have been investigated in this respect in having most of the reserve nutritive materials formed within the vacuolated follicle cells of the gonads instead of within the very limited amount of mesenchymatous connective tissue of the visceral mass. The profusely branching tubular gonads originate from two groups of primordial germ cells situated in the position of the future genital apertures. The germinal primordia soon become differentiated into two types of nuclei, one of which becomes associated with the large, vacuolated follicle cells, which form the principal volume of the gonadal tissue, while the other type proliferates to form the primary gonia which become widely scattered along the walls of each alveolus.There is much degeneration and cytolysis during gametogenesis in both sexes, with the accumulation of characteristic inclusions within the follicle cells. Atypical spermatogenesis followed by cytolysis occurs throughout the year but the normal method only in preparation for spawning. No evidence of protandry or change of sex was obtained; only three hermaphrodites were found in the examination of more than 1000 individuals.

Notizen: The adrenal-autonomic systems were studied in embryonic and juvenile alligators. In the class Reptilia virtually no previous work has been done on the adrenal-autonomic systems.The adrenals are definite bodies, distinct from the kidney. In young forms they are in close proximity to the gonads and in both the embryonic and young forms the adrenals lie against the wall of the inferior vena cava.Cortical cells predominate. In embryonic forms the medullary tissue is not dispersed as in older forms. The medullary tissue lies in close proximity to the blood sinuses or may completely surround them.The arterial supply is scanty there being only a few small arteries to the adrenal while the blood supply from the inferior vena cava is profuse.The innervation is segmental in nature with four or five consecutive sympathetic ganglia giving off sympathetic nerves to the adrenal. Parasympathetic innervation was not observed in the forms studied. The innervation suggests a transition from lower forms with their segmental diffuse medullary material to the higher forms that display concentration of nerve supply and adrenal tissue.

Notizen: Comparative data give the basis for reinterpreting alleged chromidia, mitochondria and Golgi material described for certain rhizopods.Three distinct groups of granules can be demonstrated in both Amoeba and Arcella by techniques ordinarily employed for revealing chromatin elements of a cell, mitochondria or Golgi material. With respect to physico-chemical properties the granules appear identical with certain forms of bacteria in the culture media. They are not destroyed by alcohol, ether, or Altmann's fluid containing 5% acetic acid.These granules are apparently bacteria; two groups representing permanent cytoplasmic entities either as symbionts or commensals, the third possibly temporary invaders.None of the cytoplasmic inclusions of these rhizopods have given the characteristic mitochondrial reaction when treated with Janus green. Spherules and granules, or alleged Golgi material, in Amoeba blackened with osmic acid can be revealed by techniques ordinarily employed for demonstrating the chromatin elements of a cell. Similar spherules and granules occur in the gelatinous material of the culture media, free or in bodies similar to those sometimes found in food vacuoles.In Arcella, neutral-red-stainable and osmiophilic bodies, apparently identical with granules or small globules found individually distributed in the cytoplasm, can be observed both in food bodies in food vacuoles and in similar food organisms in the medium. Those occurring in the cytoplasm may represent indigestible material.

Notizen: A description is given of the gross anatomy of the tracheal system of the larva of Drosophila melanogaster. Comparisons of findings are made with those of Lowne for Calliphora, Wahl for Eristalis, Simms for Hylemyia, Dufour for Sarcophaga, Wandolleck for Platycephala, Trägårdh for Ephydra, and De Meijere for Lonchoptera.

Notizen: Plethodon cinereus is favorable for a study of the history of the germ line. The germ cells are large, while the gonads are small and show an almost diagrammatic structure. Germ cell degeneration is not extensive during ontogeny. As long as all the germ cells contain yolk during development, these cells are derived solely from germ cells. In Plethodon, yolk lasts in all germ celis through sex differentiation. A comparison of the number of mitoses necessary for the primordial germ cells to produce the numbers of germ cells in gonads where every germ cell contains yolk, with the mitoses necessary for the primordial cells to produce the adult complements of germ cells, shows that at least 72% of the increase of germ cells can be followed by yolk. A cytological study from the embryo through the adult sexual cycle gave no evidence that somiatic cells ever transform into germ cells. Mitoses are abundant in the testes of salamanders starved 4 months. This fact together with a statistical study on the adult male sexual cycle indicates that the germ cells present in the testis do not need to be augmented by transformed somatic cells. It is concluded that in Plethodon germ cells alone give rise to germ cells, and that the germ line is continuous.

Notizen: A cytological study of the complete life cycle of Nyctotherus cordiformis (Ehr.) Stein, a heterotrichous ciliate from the large intestine of tadpole and adult Hyla versicolor hosts is presented. In division a partial dedifferentiation of parental ingestatory structures occurs, then redifferentiation, to be retained by the anterior daughter. For the posterior daughter, the ingestatory apparatus arises de novo. In conjugation, two ciliates fuse along their peristomes. The macronucles undergoes complete fragmentation while the micronucleus divides three times. The first pregamic division results in two micronuclear products; the second division, four micronuclear products, three of which degenerate. The remaining product enters into the third pregamic division to produce the two functional, migratory and stationary, pronuclei. Interchange of migratory pronuclei follows at the fused anterior ends of the conjugants to form the amphinucleus which divides once to produce the micronucleus and the macronuclear anlage. Development and behavior of the unusual macronuclear anlage (‘spireme-ball’ of Stein and Schneider) is described for the first time. At the end of the conjugation process, ingestatory structures of each conjugant completely dedifferentiate while a complete new set arises de novo posterior to the old ones. In this case, conjugation occurs only in tadpoles which are metamorphosing into frogs. Conjugation here is interpreted as an effort made by the ciliates to overcome a physiological crisis during the drastic host transformation changes.

Notizen: The types of processes encountered in the various species investigated are described. There is included the topography and structure before birth of the gonads, mesonephric ducts, urinary sinus and gut. Following birth, there are but slight changes in the topography of these organs. The most important structural change involves a complete ectodermal reconstitution of the end of the gut to form a true rectum. The vascular supply to the processes in the different species is similar and varies only in the minute details. The arterial supply is furnished by an extension of a single mesenteric artery along the gut. The number of arteries and their position at the gut opening depends on the number and position of the processes at that point. Two venous channels drain the processes; one is somatic and drains into the caudal vein, the other is visceral and empties into the hepatic portal through the subintestinal vein. The former drains the posterior process, the latter, the anterior processes. This basic pattern is constant in all species investigated. A description of the rich capillary plexus on the surface of the processes is included. With the resorption of the processes after birth, vessels that supply them become variously modified. The vein to the anterior processes and the single artery are discontinued. The vein that drains the posterior processes either disappears or is retained in part, undergoing secondary connections.

Notizen: In the spermatogonia of all the genera studied, there are nineteen rod-shaped telomitic chromosomes, which differ considerably regarding their actual sizes in the different genera. However, an analysis of the measurements of second spermatocyte chromosomes shows that as regards proportional sizes and in seriation there is some degree of uniformity within the sub-family. In Aularches, Atractomorpha, Chrotogonus, Colemania and Pyrgomorpha, the members of the smallest pair of autosomes appear as roundish or oval bodies and are comparable in shape, relative size and behavior with the ‘small’ dot-like chromosomes of the general Acrididae, while in Orthacris and Zarytes they are not so and merge into the general series. The sex chromosome is the largest one in the complexes, or the second largest as in Poecilocerus. The usual forms of tetrads occur in the spermatocytes. It is found that the number of ring tetrads in any genus depends upon the length of its chromosomes; in genera with longer chromosomes there are more of them than in genera with shorter ones. While no final explanation has been offered regarding the chromosome relationship between this sub-family and the other Acrididae, some points arising out of the present study have been briefly discussed, and it is shown that a simple process of elimination of two pairs is not sufficient to explain the smaller chromosome number in Pyrgomorphinae.

Notizen: Concomitant with the appearance of the early secretion granules the nucleus enlarges slightly, the basichromatin is reduced and discrete acidophilic granules appear within the nuclei. Some nuclei become vacuolated and in others the basichromatin is practically reduced to a thin shell reinforced with occasional chromatic strands. Such nuclei are filled with acidophilic granules.In many instances the portion of the nucleus adjacent to the secretion is greatly modified, the basichromatin is reduced and presents an alveolar pattern with the alveoli filled with acidophilic material and elongated at right angles to the nuclear membrane. This appearance suggests that material is passing from the nucleus into the cytoplasm but no cytological evidence of such a passage was obtained.During the storage phase giant nuclei are present. They appear to be the result of a simple hypertrophy but in a few instances it appeared that multiplication by direct division, followed by coalescence might be a contributory factor to their formation.Following thyroidectomy or hypophysectomy the production of secretion was retarded but no profound regression was observed. After treatment with implants or injections of anterior pituitary a mild stimulation was observed.The evidence for nuclear participation in the formation of secretion is not conclusive but many of the changes which occur strongly suggest such an activity.

Notizen: The silver chromate method used by Cajal, Fusari, and others supporters of the ‘network’ theory, fixes the contraction bands and (M) membranes in contracted muscle and the (Z) membranes and borders of the (Q) discs in relaxed fibers. The same structures are preserved by fixation in gold chloride. Kolatchev, and Bouin solutions. Muscle tissue subjected, prior to fixation, to fat extractives: ether, chloroform, etc., and subsequently fixed by these methods has an appearance similar to control preparations. The Cajal-Fusari ‘network’ is therefore considered to result from an impregnation of the membranes and bands; the various types of ‘nets’ described by these observers being due to fixation of fibers in different stages of contraction.The true Golgi substance of striated muscle consists of osmiophilic bodies located in the sarcoplasm in proximity to the nuclei. Cone, saucer, or crescent-shaped osmiophilic bodies occur at the poles, and granules, rods or curved rods of similar staining material along the sides of the nuclei. The disposition of these structures varies from nucleus to nucleus. Heart muscle possesses a relatively larger amount of the substance than does skeletal muscle.

Notizen: The embryos of twenty-one species of the family Goodeidae have extensive rectal processes (trophotaeniae) which serve as absorptive organs, by means of which the embryos while they are retained in the ovarian cavity absorb substances dissolved in the ovarian fluid. Embryos of three species have not been available for study. No trophotaeniae are present in one species Ataeniobius toweri. There are three general types of trophotaeniae, rosette, sheathed and unsheathed. The structure of the trophotaeniae is sufficiently constant in each species to be used in species determination.

Notizen: The regeneration of muscle in larval Amblystoma punctatum is preceded by an extensive dedifferentiation of the old muscles of the limb stump. The process of muscle dedifferentiation consists in a separation of muscle nuclei, surrounded by a small amount of cytoplasm, from the injured ends of the muscle fibers. The dedifferentiation of the cut muscles of the limb stump progresses proximad as far as the origin of the muscles on the humerus and results in a complete transformation of these muscles into undifferentiated cells which appear to contribute to the formation of the regeneration blastema. Shoulder muscles, which were attached to the humerus, also undergo a partial dedifferentiation when their points of insertion on the humerus are destroyed by the degeneration of the perichondrium. These muscles never dedifferentiate, however, for more than one-fourth their original length. The process of dedifferentiation in the shoulder muscles is similar to that found in the cut muscles of the limb stump.The regeneration of the injured muscles occurs in two ways. The shoulder muscles reconstitute themselves by means of terminal and lateral sarcoplasmic buds formed near the distal regions of the muscle fibers. The muscles of the limb proper, distal to the shoulder, differentiate out of local aggregations of blastema cells. No myoblasts were observed.The regeneration blastema arose chiefly from dedifferentiated cells of muscle, nerve connective tissue sheath, perichondrium and cartilage.

Notizen: The original innominate bone consisted of ischiopubis only. From this developed a dorsally-directed ilium, upon which the dorsal limb muscles, originally arising from fascia, settled, and which thrust dorsalward between roots of the limb plexus, thus dividing the nerves into prozonal (dorsal and ventral) and metazonal (dorsal and ventral) groups. The primitive muscles of the tetrapod hip and thigh comprised a dorsal mass, soon divisible into sheets, innervated by both prozonal and metazonal dorsal nerves, and a similar ventral mass comparably innervated. The original two elements thus became four basic elements, and probably in early mammals or mammal-like reptiles all dually innervated muscles split into singly innervated units. With this four-group basis as the chief criterion, but considering other factors as well, it is possible to homologize the muscles of urodeles (ventral components only), lacertilians, mammals, and birds in entirely satisfactory manner, except for doubt in several instances in which specialization has secondarily obscured the precise relationships. In different mammals there is shown a tendency toward a final fusion of certain unrelated muscle units (biceps plus gluteus longus, human type of biceps, adductor magnus, and tensor fasciae femoris with gluteus maximus).

Notizen: In the blastula stage the roof of the subgerminal cavity is composed of an irregular layer of cells, the nuclei of which lie in the upper or middle part of the cytoplasm.On the floor of the subgerminal cavity groups of already degenerating cells occur. They represent the vegetative pole of the blastula. Almost every cell contains glycogen, and mitotic cells show no special orientation.In the gastrula stage the cells of the area pellucida become regularly arranged as a single-layered, cylindrical epithelium with basally situated nuclei.The yolk endoderm cells are formed from the proliferating upper layer of the area opaca.The embryonic endoderm is formed at the posterior end of the area pellucida by outgrowth of single cells from a circumscribed area, the primitive plate.This plate eventually bends inward to form a typical archenteric canal, through which endoderm continues to invaginate from the epiblast.The endoderm spreads in a cranial and lateral direction until it has formed a complete layer.The epiblast cells lose their glycogen as they invaginate to form endoderm, which is free of glycogen.In the area opaca the upper layer and the yolk endoderm contain glycogen.The mitotic cells of the epiblast of the area pellucida are always orientated horizontally, but in the primitive plate and archenteric canal they are orientated vertically as well.

Notizen: The larval, metamorphosing and definitive aortic arches of Desmognathus fuscus, Plethodon cinereus, Eurycea bislineata, and Gyrinophilus porphyriticus, described in this paper, were investigated because it was thought possible that, if the fourth or pulmonary arch failed to develop in these lungless forms, a new factor associated with the loss of lungs might be revealed.The salient points of structure disclosed, so far as the problem involved is concerned, are: D. fuscus and P. cinereus develop fourth arches which remain functional in the larvae and adults and supply the pharynx, oesophagus, stomach and skin of the shoulder region. In some instances the fourth arch in the larvae of P. cinereus is reduced in length or entirely lacking in which cases correspondingly less of the fourth arch and more of the third arch is present in the adult. E. bislineata and undoubtedly G. porphyriticus fail to develop fourth arches and hence do not possess these in either the larval or adult states.It is concluded, therefore, that the failure of the fourth arch to develop has evidently not been a factor involved in the advent of lunglessness in plethodontid salamanders. Also, the fact that E. bislineata never develops a fourth arch, yet is able to transform, furnishes additional evidence against Figge's view that Necturus fails to metamorphose because the ventral portion of the fourth arch is absent.

Notizen: This study is based on serial sections of the occipital and otic regions of a therocephalian from the Tapinocephalus zone. The occipital region as preserved consists of the basioccipitals and exoccipitals. The basioccipital is long and slender and is separated from the more anterior basisphenoid by an unossified zone. The exoccipitals are large and contain a part of the jugular foramen and two foramina for cranial nerve XII.The otic bones are fused together to form a periotic. The most striking feature of the inner ear is the medioventral position of the vestibule. Passing back into the periotic from the vestibule is a deep recessus scala tympani. This recess opens anteriorly into a ventral fenestra in the vestibule, the fenestra rotunda. These structures are similar to those of Dimetrodon and the gorgonopsian.The anterior part of the periotic is projected ventrally to form a basicranial process. This probably arose by intramembranous ossification. The unossified zone between the basioccipital and basisphenoid may represent a persistent basicranial fenestra.

Notizen: A study has been made of the growth of the eye anlage, and of the increase in number of the elements of the dioptric system of larvae of Drosophila melanogaster.In newly hatched larvae the eye rudiment grows fast, but slows down later and becomes nearly stationary during the second half of larval life. The increase in number of elements in the eye disc parallels the growth of the whole anlage and reaches a maximum about 70 hours after hatching. The imaginal disc cells increase in number but not in size, in contrast to other larval cells which increase in size but not in number.

Notizen: The form of the vertebral column is definitely related to its function as a supporting rod, a base for attachment of body and limb muscles, and a protection of the spinal cord and nerves. Primitively composed of a series of simple undifferentiated blocks, it progressively becomes complicated through development of articular processes giving added strength and greater mobility. Simultaneously, the centrum and the neural arch become adapted to withstand tension and compression stresses which vary with the movements possible in different regions of the column. These movements are partially determined by the plane of the zygapophyses and the nature of the intercentral articulation, together with the action of the axial muscles and ligaments.In fish and primitive tetrapods the axial musculature serves as the chief locomotor organ and consists of a series of myomeres extending with little interruption from the head to the tail. In tetrapods the locomotor function is taken over by the limbs and the axial muscles become progressively differentiated into long flexors and extensors of the column and gradually lose their external segmentation.

Notizen: Adult salamanders of Ambystoma tigrinum show a high degree of sexual dimorphism. The normal growth of the urogenital ducts system in relation to the development of the gonads is traced from the sexually indifferent period preceding metamorphosis to sexual maturity at 1 year. Differentiation and growth of secondary sex characters is correlated with spermatogenesis in the male and with growth of ovocytes in the female.Testicular hormone manifests its initial appearance in male differentiation of the wolffian and urinary collecting ducts following metamorphosis. Growth of ovocytes and oviducts begins before metamorphosis and may be assumed to indicate the initial appearance of the ovarian hormone. Females retain the larval arrangement of wolffian and urinary ducts. The oviducts of the male regress during the period of rapid male differentiation. This suggests the possibility of antagonistic activity of the male hormones in Ambystoma.

Notizen: A batch of fifty newts was subjected to complete food deprivation for a period of 4 months. During the experiment twenty-two individuals died and twenty-eight were killed at intervals. From the end of the second month the erythrocytes began to show in increasingly greater numbers a progressive alteration in the nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio. The nucleus of these atypical erythrocytes gradually enlarged and ultimately occupied the entire cytosome. Meanwhile the nuclear reticulum became extremely fine and closely meshed, eventually appearing practically homogeneous and relatively chromophobic. The end result was complete dissolution. The leukocytes became greatly reduced in number, the eosinophils disappearing completely. The neutrophils and basophils were agranular in the blood smears. The erythrocyte transformations represent late results of a chain of factors: cytoplasmic hypotonicity, nuclear endosmosis, attenuation and fenestration of nuclear membrane. The subcapsular lymphogranulocytopoietic tissue of the liver had almost completely disappeared. The spleen was greatly reduced in size; it was essentially lymphoid in character and erythrocytopoietic activity had ceased practically completely. Complete restoration of normal conditions in blood, liver and spleen was effected by the end of 2 weeks by feeding with earthworms. The regenerating blood showed many naked nuclei of disintegrating atypical erythrocytes, many immature erythrocytes in mitosis, increased number of small lymphocytes (lymphoid hemoblasts), large but variable numbers of microcytes, many giant thrombocytes and normal granulocytes.

Notizen: Colloidal carbon injected into the coelom of the larval lamprey, Ammocoetes, is taken up directly by the pronephric tubules. Due to the absence of nephrostomes the mesonephric tubules do not function in a similar way. The tubules of neither show any intracellular deposition of carbon. The reticular elements which support both these kidneys exhibit pronounced phagocytic and hemocytopoietic activity. Carbon in either a free or included form reaches all the other organs both as a result of direct invasion or secondary distribution by the vascular system. The liver is the only organ whose vascular endothelium exhibits cytopoietic properties. To the diffuse spleen as a site of blood cell formation thus should be added the reticular tissue of the pronephros and mesonephros and the vascular endothelium of the liver. Playing a minor role in a similar way are the intestinal mucosa exclusive of that in the typhlosole and the spongy tissue dorsal to the neural tube.

Notizen: In an earlier paper (Slifer, '37) experiments were reported which showed that in Melanoplus differentialis eggs the hatching enzyme, which destroys the white cuticle, is secreted by the pleuropodia (appendages of the first abdominal segment of the embryo) during the last few days of incubation. In the present report the development and differentiation of the pleuropodia, together with the cytological changes which occur in them before, during and after they become functional, have been followed. The time at which the secretion granules are discharged from the pleuropodial cells was found to be closely correlated with the time at which the tough, white cuticle begins to disintegrate. The cytological evidence, then, supports the author's earlier conclusion, based upon experimental work, that the pleuropodia secrete the hatching enzyme.

Notizen: Comparison of intramembral and trunk/limb proportions in the roadrunner (Geococcyx) and two related genera of cuckoos (Coccyzus and Crotophaga), together with a consideration of their habits of locomotion, lead to the following two generalizations: (1) The incipient cursorial leg of more primitive, arboreal birds, with the metatarsus shorter than the femur, is not an efficient mechanism for bipedal terrestrial locomotion. The direct adaptation to the cursorial habit in terrestrial birds lies in the further elongation of the whole leg, the distal segments undergoing a relatively greater elongation than the femur; the greatest degree of elongation is shown by the most distal segment. (2) When the development of terrestrial, cursorial habits in birds leads to diminished use, or discuse, of the wings as organs of locomotion, the wing skeleton becomes reduced in length; each segment of the wing is reduced, but the degree of reduction is greatest in the more distal segments. It is probable that reduction appears first in the most distal segment and later successively in each segment proceeding proximally therefrom.

Notizen: The median cord arises as a hypodermal invagination along the midline from stomodeum to end of tenth abdominal ganglion. It separates from the hypoderm, but does not differentiate into any tissue; apparently it degenerates.

Notizen: There are 19 chromosomes in diploid cells of male Paratylotropidia brunneri; of these, four are V-shaped multiples. There are twenty chromosomes in diploid cells of females; of these, four are V-shaped multiples. If the two arms of each multiple are counted as separate chromosomes, we have the usual number of chromosomes for the Acrididae, i.e., twenty-three in male and twenty-four in female.There are nine chromosomes in the first spermatocyte divisions: seven tetrads, one octad and a decad. The latter is made up of the accessory chromosome associated with an octad.One of the V-shaped multiples in the male is limited to that sex. The homologue of one of the dyads of which it is composed is a free dyad, the homologue of the other forms a V-shaped multiple with the accessory chromosome. The V-shaped multiple limited to the male shows differential heteropycosis in the prophases of the first spermatocyte. There is evidence that its homologous parts are isolated from each other as far as crossingover is concerned.A study of the first maturation division of the heterogametic sex is essential for the identification of the sex chromosome.

Notizen: Although thoracic diverticula of the aorta ending dorsally in pulsatile organs were discovered by Brocher as early as 1917 no detailed account of their structure was published. The condition of these structures in the adult was not investigated and their development through larval instars was not followed. Brocher's later papers announced the discovery of similar organs in the orders Orthoptera, Coleoptera and Lepidoptera. In 1931 E. Meyer described in some detail pulsatile organs in the Ephemerida. In general these accounts are either superficial or of doubtful interpretation.The present paper deals with the Odonata and stresses the Anisoptera. Anax junius has been studied as the type both anatomically and histologically in all stages of larva and imago except the first four instars. Other types have been compared with Anax, and some of the other orders mentioned have been checked for presence and nature of these organs.Aortic diverticula and pulsatile organs occur in all Odonata both larval and adult. These are derived from the same origins and their histology is that of the membranes involved in aortic and body walls. Through inference from morphology and from physiological examination it appears that pulsatile organs (1) supplement heart action, perhaps substituting for it during emergence. (2) assist in the functioning of the ostia and ostial glands, and (3) may even be important in production and distribution of hormones.

Notizen: The germinal epithelium was studied in an effort to determine its role in postpubertal ovogenesis. Active and inactive areas of epithelium were observed regardless of the oestrous periods. The active areas, exemplified by numerous mitoses and a frequent stratification of the epithelium, are foci for egg cell production.Egg cells are produced from the germinal epithelium by: activation, migration and transformation of single germinal epithelial cells; migration and differentiation of nests of cells; ingrowths of cords of cells.Young ova in the cortex of the ovary are at first surrounded by a single layer of flattened follicular cells of germinal epithelial origin. In the subsequent development of the follicle stratified layers make their appearance. The zona pellucida appears as a well-defined structure coincident with the stratification of the follicular layers.The follicular cavity develops as a split between the follicular cells at one side of the follicle. In the mature follicle the cavity is broad and contains liquor folliculi. The theca interna and externa are not distinguishable until the follicle is highly cellular.

Notizen: The spermatogenetic cycle of the testis of the musk turtle is limited to the summer months of the year, and closely parallels that of the anuran Amphibia. Spermatozoa are present in the testis from September to May, and breeding may occur in either fall or spring. A pronounced increase in the size of the epididymis and a corresponding decrease in the size of the testis occurs at the end of the cycle (September).During the months of March, April and May, all spermatozoa are eliminated from the seminal tubules, and the germinal epithelium is built up in preparation for spermatogenesis. Spermatogonial divisions occur in small numbers in May, and the division tempo increases during June. Primary spermatocytes and maturation divisions appear after the middle of June, and continue through July and August. Spermiogenesis begins in late July, is in full progress in August, and is practically completed by October. Laboratory specimens usually show an active spermatogenesis in winter, but it is not probable that a second spermatogenetic cycle occurs in specimens under normal hibernating conditions.No seasonal changes are observed in the interstitial cells of the testis, and no seasonally variable secondary sex characters are known for turtles. Special studies of the problem are being conducted.

Notizen: This species represents a typical example of protandric consecutive sexuality, the male phase becoming functional at a very early age, when the body has reached a length of only 3 to 7 mm. Those males which become functional earliest usually seek the association of older individuals in the female phase; others, maturing later, are more likely to remain solitary. Mated males have accentuated masculine characteristics and retain the male phase longer than solitary individuals or those that are isolated experimentally. Unfavorable environmental conditions postpone or prevent functional sexuality and terminate the male phase promptly without inaugurating the female phase. The influence of the female in accentuating the sexuality of the male is thought to be due to stimuli received by the latter through sense organs in tentacles and penis and mediated by the nervous system through hormonal secretions. Termination of the male phase and transition to the functional female are comparable to metamorphosis from the immature to the mature condition in other animals and, like metamorphosis, the primary (male) sexual phase can be abbreviated or prolonged experimentally, but the sequence cannot be reversed.

Notizen: Data concerning the seasonal distribution of twenty-two species of nudibranchs are recorded for a period of 9 months. The occurrence of copulation and of egg laying for these animals in the laboratory aquaria is recorded for the same period. These data indicate that the seasonal distribution of certain species is well marked, and that there is in many cases a definite breeding season.The characteristics of the egg ribbons of these nudibranchs are described, and figured by means of photographs. These egg ribbons approach the mathematical form of a spiral of Archimedes. In every case observed, the ribbon was deposited in a counter-clockwise direction, viewed dorsally.The relationship between these observations and earlier work on the life histories of the nudibranchs is discussed.

Notizen: Salivary gland nuclei in Chironomus regularly show large, conspicuous nucleoli. In Sciara no true nucleoli have been found, but sometimes certain particular chromosome regions expand greatly, forming ‘puffs’ or ‘bulbs,’ somewhat nucleolus-like in nature. Detailed study has been made of the chromosome structure in the affected regions in both genera.In the nucleolar regions of Chironomus the banded structure of the chromosome is distinctly modified. In the case of the large nucleolus the chromosome breaks up into a heavy network in which solid discs are replaced by interconnected chromatic spheres and granules, extending out somewhat into the clear nucleolar substance. In the case of the smaller nucleolus, Balbiani's ring, the banded structure is less disturbed. A chromatic network, resembling a system of rootlets, runs out from the chromatic bands into the clear nucleolar substance.In Sciara ocellaris the ‘puff’ regions are at times normally banded, but at other times in the condition described as ‘puffed.’ The same is true of the ‘bulb’ regions. The relation between nucleoli, puffs and bulbs is discussed. Also that between ‘heterochromatin’ and ‘euchromatin.’ Evidence seems to indicate that the latter are merely extremes in a continuous range involving different relative amounts of chromatic and achromatic materials. The ‘puff’ regions appear to be structurally similar to the chromocenter in Drosophila.

Notizen: The summary of this paper is as follows:1From an examination of 108 ovaries from eighty-nine individuals it was apparent that, in the cat a certain but variable amount of degeneration of primary follicles occurs in all life epochs.2The primary oocytes undergo the degeneration, while the follicle cells remain for an undetermined time.3The most profound instances of such degeneration were encountered in kittens of 6 to 9 weeks, accompanying or follwing the resolution of the egg cords into primary follicles and the establishment of the cortical or marginal zone. A sporadic degeneration of young oocytes occurs at earlier periods.4No evidence was seen of a new formation of egg cells from the residual follicle cells after the degeneration of the oocytes. The degenerations of the 6 to 9 weeks epoch are not believed to be of universal occurrence.5No adequate evidence was encountered of a new formation of egg cells from the surface epithelium, either before or after sexual maturity.6No evidence linking the degeneration of primary follicles with the estrous cycle was seen.7The stock of primary follicles established in the first few weeks after birth is believed to be adequate for the growth of graafian.

Notizen: The maturation of the germ cells of the two hermaphroditic species, Curtisia foremanii (Girard) and Bdelloura candida (Girard) has supplied the material for this chromosome study.Both species of flatworms are believed by the author to possess a diploid number of twelve chromosomes and a haploid number of six, although Curtisia foremanii has previously been reported as having a smaller and variable number of chromosomes.A tendency of the chromatids comprising individual chromosomes to separate from one another at certain times was noted in both species. This action results in giving the appearance of a larger number of chromosomes than the germ cells actually possess. A further source of apparent increase in chromosome number in the Curtisia oocytes, after treatment with the usual Allen's B3 and B15 and Heidenhain's iron haematoxylin, is the presence of some deeply staining, non-chromatin material.No significant differences in number, form and behavior of chromosomes of male and female complexes were noted, with the possible exception of the tendency of the chromatids to separate from one another, to be greater in the female than in male germ cells.

Notizen: Four cases of gynandry in American spiders present the following morphologic deviations: The specimen belonging to Neoantistea agilis (Keyserling) externally is a bilateral gynandromorph with distortion of the single male palp, with half of the epigynum nearly normal; internally both testes and ovaries are present. The Drassodes neglectus (Keyserling) is not a completely developed bilateral gynandromorph. One side has a normal male palp, a larger chelicera and longer legs than the other, the epigynum is complete and normal; internally only degenerate ovaries are present. The Linyphiid, near Bathyphantes, is three-quarters female, the only male organ being an imperfectly developed male palp. Ovaries are well developed but immature, whereas the epigynum is complete. In the Pardosa sternalis (Thorell) the anterior part of the body is male, as indicated by the swollen palps and the length of the legs; the epigynum is completely developed, but internal reproductive organs are missing except for a very much aborted ovary. The bisexuality in all cases has caused degeneration or abnormalities in the reproductive structures.Included is a tabulation of all recorded instances of gynandry in spiders, arranged according to the type of abnormality. The term ‘leg-index’ is introduced to express ratio between length of the leg and length of cephalothorax.

Notizen: Centrifuging the eggs of Rana pipiens in the early gastrula stage prevents the formation of the hypophysis in some of the tadpoles. The absence of the melanophorotropic hormone normally secreted by the hypophysis seems to be responsible for the contraction of the pigment cells. In addition, there are actually fewer pigment cells present in both the dermal and epidermal layers of the light tadpoles than there are in the controls. The paleness, therefore, of the tadpoles seems to be due to both a contraction of the pigment cells present and to an actual reduction in their number. The failure of the hypophysis to develop was brought about by centrifuging at an earlier stage in development of the embryo than in previous extirpation studies. The effects produced by centrifuging that are responsible for the failure of the hypophysis to develop are unknown. However, it is suggested that interference in some way with the presumptive hypophysis-forming tissue has resulted in an inactivation of its inductive potencies.

Notizen: This paper is based on evidence obtained from sectioned skull of Galesaurus planiceps, Owen. Width-length index of skull is 67.7; height-width index 47.6. Dental formula is: \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \frac{{{\rm I\; 3\; or\; 4}}}{{{\rm I\; ?}}} $\end{document}, \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \frac{{{\rm C\; 1}}}{{{\rm C\; 1}}} $\end{document}, \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \frac{{{\rm PC\; 7}}}{{{\rm PC\; 9}}} $\end{document}. Length of prevomer is 24.0 mm., that of skull 62.0 mm. Maxilla contains cavity which appears to be equivalen of sinus maxillaris of mammals. Ear structure shows large internal auditory meatus. There is no evidence that horizontal and posterior semicircular canals pass through bone. Fenestra ovalis is large. Parasphenoid, basisphenoid, and basioccipital are fused. Parasphenoid consists of short body and a medial anterior process. Sella turcica lacks floor, probably due to erosion. Detached bone may be sphenethmoid. Dentary contains two canals, probably vascular. Comparisons with related forms lead to following conclusions: (1) Specimen is of young animal. (2) Dental succession of postcanines, distichical replacement of postcanines, long prevomer, short parasphenoid, incomplete osseous incasement of semicircular canals, and other characteristics label Galesaurus as primitive cynodont. (3) Reduction of parasphenoid and development of prevomer support Broom's view that Ictidosaurus is not a cynodont. (4) Prevomer as nasal septum; fusion of parasphenoid, basisphenoid, and basioccipital; large lacrimal, splenial, and articular; and other characteristics indicate that Galesaurus is off line leading to mammals. (5) In certain respects cynodonts are more mammal-like than gorgonopsians.

Notizen: The development of the cranial musculature of Amblystoma punctatum is described in detail, for both larva and adult. In addition, a brief account of the innervation of each muscle is given. The study of normal development is supplemented by extirpation experiments performed on embryos in early stages of development. These extirpations include the mesodermal head segments, mesoderm of mandibular, hyoid, second branchial, third branchial arches, and somites 1, 2 and 3. The eye muscles are found to develop from the mesodermal head segments in precisely the same manner as in other classes of vertebrates; head segmentation of Amphibia, though less accentuated, is shown to be homologous with that of other classes. The remaining extirpation experiments corroborate, in general, the finding from normal development studies. An attempt is made to summarize in tabular form the prospective fate of the prechordal plate and parachordal mesoderm, the two earliest divisions of the head mesoderm, with regard to their complete muscle derivatives.

Notizen: Projection microradiography was used to determine the density and orientation of the force transmitting structures, i.e., trabeculae and bone lying between approximately parallel vascular canals, within the bones of cat skulls. The organisation in the skulls was confirmed statistically for a total of ten cats. The results of the observations showed that within specific areas of the skull a high degree of structural orientation and an increased density of osseous structures was present. The distribution of these characters corresponded in contiguous bones such that a continuum of structural organisation was established between the alveolar region and the site of attachment of the temporalis and masseter muscles and the glenoid region.The patterns of force transmission during jaw closure were determined when a resistance was placed initially between the canines and then the carnassials. An analysis was first carried out on dry skulls using colophonium resin to determine the direction of the force distribution. The nature and the approximate magnitude of the forces were ascertained by replacing the resin with strain gauges. The basic similarities in the strain patterns recorded from the dry skulls and those from the ten anaesthetised cats in which strain gauges had been intra-vitally implanted, substantiated the recordings made on the dry skulls. Combination of the results from the three sets of experiments defined the patterns of force distribution in the cat skull during the closure of the mandible against a resistance. The results showed that: (1) the combined action of the temporalis and masseter muscles tended to reduce the overall strain in the skull bones, and that the deformations produced by the action of the masseter were greater than that exerted by the temporalis muscles; (2) during biting, whether the resistance was placed between the canines or carnassials, compressive forces predominated in the facial bones; (3) small movements observed between facial bones indicated the presence of a flexible component within the skull, thus allowing large forces to be exerted during biting without overstressing the facial bones; (4) the glenoid fossa is part of a force bearing joint; (5) forces generated during biting were resisted within the skull by forces of an opposite nature generated within the system, the incompressible nature of bone and by the effect of the soft tissues; (6) the nature and the magnitude of the strain altered when a resistance was placed at the canines and then at the carnassials; however, the pattern of force distribution within the skull remained the same; (7) there was a direct correspondence between the detailed structural organisation of the bones and the patterns of force distribution. This conclusion would appear to apply in general to mammalian skulls. The study also emphasises the importance, neglected hitherto, of carrying out a variety of experiments to determine the patterns of force distribution in bones.The Trajectorial Theory of bone organisation is discussed and, on the basis of the results obtained, a modified theory is proposed. This states that: the structural continuum is common to the compact and cancellous bone and comprises bony bars which are aligned in the optimum direction for the transmission of force to a region in the bone or bones where it is effectively resisted.

Notizen: The tarsi of all three pairs of legs of both sexes of Aedes aegypti (L.) bear spine sensilla, five types of hair sensilla, which are designated A, B, C1, C2 and C3, and campaniform sensilla. Type A and B hairs, spines, and cam-paniform sensilla are innervated by one neuron with a tubular body, a characteristic of cuticular mechanoreceptors. In particular the hairs and spines are tactile receptors and the campaniform sensilla are proprioceptors. The C1, C2, and C3 hair sensilla have the morphological features of contact chemoreceptors. Type C1 and C3 hairs are innervated by five and four neurons, respectively, which extend to the tip of the hair. Type C2 is innervated by five neurons, one of which terminates at the base of the hair in a tubular body while the remaining four extend to the tip of the hair. The role of the type C hairs in oviposition behavior, nectar feeding, and recognition of conspecific females is discussed. Presumed efferent neurosecretory fibers occur near the spine and hair sensilla.

Notizen: The micro-anatomy of the corpuscles of Stannius of the toadfish, Opsanus tau, an aglomerular marine teleost, has been studied by light and electron microscopy. The corpuscles are composed of extensively anastomosed cords of epithelial cells which maintain intimate contact with blood capillaries. Most of the epithelial cells contain acidophilic granules which also show a positive reaction with the periodic acid-Schiff technique and aldehyde fuchsin. On the basis of fine structural criteria, three cell types can be recognized. The granular cells contain abundant quantities of granular endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, Golgi apparatus with prosecretory granules, coated vesicles, polymorphic mitochondria with lamellar cristae, filaments, microtubules, a cilium, a variety of lysosome-like dense bodies, glycogen particles, lipid droplets, secretory granules and intranuclear lipid-like inclusions. One variety of agranular cell (type I) is characterized by the total absence of secretory granules, but it contains large amounts of granular endoplasmic reticulum and ribosomes, conspicuous profiles of Golgi apparatus, coated vesicles and sometimes an abundance of glycogen. Another variety of agranular cell (type II) has poorly developed cytoplasmic organelles. The perivascular space between the capillary and parenchyma contains connective tissue cells and abundant nerve fibers. The different types of epithelial cells observed in the corpuscles of Stannius of this fish may represent functional stages of the secretory cycle in a single cell type.

Notizen: The nervous system of the maldanid polychaetes Clymenella torquata (Leidy) and Euclymene oerstedi (Claparede) (= Caesicirrus neglectus [Arwidsson, '11-'12]) retains its primitive association with the epidermis. It shows only slight metamerism in the presence of larger collections of neurones opposite the parapodia and of larger nerves at the segmental boundaries. Multicellular giant fibers are present in the ventral nerve cord; giant neurones which show a characteristic pattern of distribution in each species are also present. The cerebral ganglia supply nerves to the prostomial wall, nuchal grooves and the wall of the buccal cavity, and a pair of large nerves from the circumpharyngeal connectives also appear to join the buccal system. The organs of special sense are the elongated prostomial nuchal grooves, and prostomial ocelli in Euclymene but not in Clymenella. Statocysts are absent.Four pairs of nephromixia are present. They lie in the aseptate anterior trunk, in chaetigers 5-9 of Clymenella, and 6-10 of Euclymene. The nephridiopores lie at the ventral ends of the neuropodia of chaetigers 6-9 and 7-10, respectively. Each nephromixium consists of coelomostome, tubule and contractile bladder. The wall of the tubule and bladder consists of both excretory and ciliated cells. Most of the cytoplasm of the latter forms a bounding layer at the outer surface. The cytoplasm of the excretory cells contains lipid material and appears to synthesize lipofuscin. The tips of the excretory cells swell, fill with granules, and break off in the form of vesicles which are periodically expelled in clouds from the nephridiopores. Glycogen is present, especially in the ciliated cells of the tubule and coelomostome.Granules of a lipoid nature accumulate in (or between) cells of the nephridia, epidermis, and some regions of the gut, and may be excretory. Lipid granules also appear to be synthesized by coelomocytes which eventually end up in masses in the ventrolateral coelomic cavities of the tail.The nephridia act as gonoducts, but show no seasonal variation in either size or histological structure.

Notizen: The ascophoran Pentapora foliacea was studied from epoxy sections of skeletal and soft (hard-soft) tissues. The basal wall is double, indicating the colony grew as two independent layers, back to back. The structure of the vertical walls and interzooidal communication organs indicates that zooids were budded in the usual way as in most encrusting cheilostomes. Secondary layers of the frontal wall are of acicular aragonite. The ovicell develops as a flattened cuticular bladder in early ontogeny; the aragonitic layer of the frontal wall later engulfs it. A median vesicle, an evagination of the vestibular wall, is present but the eggs may be supplied with sufficient yolk to nurture the embryo. The overall ovicell structure is similar to that of hyperstomial ovicells in other cheilostomes.

Notizen: This investigation describes the pre-natal morphogenesis of the type I pneumocyte subsequent to its differentiation from pulmonary epithelium. Cells lining subpleural alveolar septa were photographed from serial sections with the electron microscope, and a three-dimensional representation of each cell was obtained by transferring the contours of the cell membranes from montages to transparent plastic sheets which were then spaced to scale and stacked. The results of this study indicate that: The nascent blood-air barrier of a 50-day reconstructed cell was twice as thick as the average definitive barrier; definitive barrier thickness was observed in some areas in a 63-day reconstructed cell; the amorphous component of elastic tissue which appears peripherally in septal connective tissue during pre-natal morphogenesis may be directly juxtaposed to the basal lamina of the alveolar epithelium; the orientation of the cell junction between a pneumocyte and its neighboring cells, as observed in sections of alveolar septa, changes as the contour of the pneumocyte changes from simple abutment to overlapping patterns.

Notizen: The fine structure of the mid-gut musculature of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria is described and compared with that of the visceral muscles of other species. The gross morphology and fine structure of the nervous system which supplies the mid-gut muscle fibres is described.

Notizen: The integument of Paranthessius anemoniae has been studied with light and electron microscopy. A cuticle with clearly defined epicuticular, exocuticular and endocuticular regions overlies a cellular hypodermal layer. The distribution of carbohydrate, lipid and protein components of the cuticle were demonstrated histochemically. Parabolic striations in oblique sections of cuticle suggest that its molecular architecture fits a “twisted sheet” theory proposed for other species.Arthrodial membranes at body and limb joints have a homogeneous structure, lacking exocuticle and endocuticle. Subcuticular glands appear to secrete substances thought to be responsible for the immunity which Paranthessius seems to have to the nematocysts of its host. Small hairs, situated in cuticular cups which occur over the dorsal body surface are considered to function as rheoreceptors.

Notizen: The larval epithelium of the sea urchin, Lytechinus pictus, consists of squamous cells and bands of columnar epithelial cells bearing cilia. During metamorphosis this tissue undergoes a series of rapid, complex changes. Through the scanning and transmission electron microscope, we describe and analyse these changes. The changes can be divided into three steps. (1) The larval arms bend away from the left side of the larva, exposing the urchin rudiment. Cells which are identical to smooth muscle cells are in a position to bring about this bending. (2) The squamous epithelial cells assume a cuboidal shape. This change in shape results in the collapse of the larval epithelium onto the presumptive aboral surface. These cells possess a subapical band of microfilaments. The cellular shape change but not the bending of the arms is reversibly inhibited by Cytochalasin B. These observations suggest a mechanism for this change. (3) The former lining of the vestibule of the urchin rudiment comes to lie over the collapsed larval tissue and forms the adult epithelium. At this point, after only one hour, the larva has assumed the external shape of an adult sea urchin.

Notizen: The mucous gland of the red-spotted newt, Notophthalamus viridescens viridescens, Rafinesque was examined by histochemical and ultrastructural techniques and its cytological responses to various hormonal conditions were studied. Its secretory epithelial cells produce and release in merocrine fashion a neutral, unsulphated mucosubstance. The secretory epithelium is bounded peripherally by a thin, but apparent non-functional, myo-epithelium. The duct of this mucous gland consists of a single keratinized tubular cell that extends from the neck region of the gland to the surface of the epidermis.Mucous secretion is absent or greatly reduced on the skins of newts maintained under laboratory conditions for a few weeks but reappears after injection of ovine prolactin. Mucous glands in laboratory conditioned animals show a 4-fold increase in volume brought about by the engorgement of their epithelial cells with secretory granules. Ovine prolactin reduces the volume of the glands to unconditioned levels with a corresponding reduction in granular content, suggesting that prolactin functions in the release of the granules. This view is reinforced by the findings that autotransplantation of the pituitary gland prevents the conditioning effect and that glandular volume increases in auto-transplanted animals given ergocornine. Granular accumulation begins also in hypophysectomized newts but ceases after a week, indicating the need for some hypophyseal factor in the synthesis as well as the release of the granules. Ovine prolactin restores mucous glands of hypophysectomized newts to the unconditioned state. Contrary to earlier findings, ovine prolactin induces a reduction in the volume of the mucous gland in thyroidectomized newts.

Notizen: The process of coelomic pouch formation in Pisaster ochraceus was studied with light microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy and time-lapse cinemicrography as well as with the drug cytochalasin B. As in most asteroids, the paired coelomic pouches of Pisaster ochraceus are formed from outpocketing of the archenteron.Arrays of 50 Å microfilaments are found in the presumptive coelomic pouch cells at the apex of the archenteron as well as in the filopodia of the mesenchyme cells. Both cell types undergo active movements throughout the entire process. Treatment of embryos with cytochalasin B (CCB) during coelomic pouch formation results in the loss of cell movements and the regression of the coelomic pouches; this is accompanied by the loss of microfilament arrays in both cell types. Cell movements and microfilament arrays reappear on removal of CCB and coelomic pouch formation resumes.Our evidence suggests that the microfilaments in the presumptive coelomic pouch cells provide the main force for the outpocketing movement. The major role of the microfilament arrays in the filopodia of the mesenchyme cells associated with the coelomic pouches is to determine the definitive shape and location of the pouches.

Notizen: Morphological changes of the ovary of the Chinese cobra, Naja naja, throughout the annual reproductive cycle are described. A single clutch of between 6 and 22 eggs is produced in late June. From July to the following April the ovary remains quiescent and contains small previtellogenic, hydration stage follicles. The growth of an ovarian follicle from a primary oocyte to maturation and ovulation is estimated to take three years. The histology of the germinal epithelium and the follicular granulosa shows seasonal changes correlated with the growth of the oocyte. During the quiescent period, the germinal epithelium lacks mitotic activity, but during April, when yolk deposition and rapid growth of the preovulatory follicles take place, the germinal epithelium shows intense mitotic activity. The growth of the smallest hydration stage follicles, and the occurrence of cytoplasmic bridges between the pyriform cells of the granulosa and the developing oocyte, also appear to increase during this period. The possible function of the pyriform cell is discussed and the literature on the origin and fate of these cells in the squamate ovary is reviewed. Postovulatory follicles (corpora lutea) and two types of atresia are described and compared with what is known of these structures in other reptiles.

Notizen: An experiment was undertaken to determine which sensory structures of the mouse embryo inner ear developed from what portion of the mouse otocyst. Otocysts of gestation days 10, 11, 12 and 13 were divided by surgical dissection into six anatomical groups: dorsal, ventral, anterior, posterior, medial and lateral halves. They were organ cultured separately. After a period of ten days, the explanted tissues were harvested and processed histologically for microscopic analysis. The surgical control specimens fixed at the time of explanation were composed of undifferentiated ectodermal cells for tissues of gestation days 10, 11, and 12. Otocysts of gestation day ten showed no gross morphological differentiation. Otocysts of gestation days 11 and 12 showed, during the course of their subsequent growth, that the three semicircular ducts and their associated cristae developed from the dorsal and lateral halves. Only the anterior and posterior canals and cristae originated from the medial portion. The posterior half gave rise to the posterior crista and the anterior half provided for the development of the anterior and lateral cristae. The cochlear duct and its sensory epithelium developed in all the anatomical groups except the dorsal half. The utricle developed in the dorsal section of the middle third of the otocyst, while the utricular macula developed in the anterior half of the same section of the otocyst. The saccule and its macula differentiated from the ventral section of the middle third of the anterior half.

Notizen: The pineal-paraphyseal complex of sea turtles is an impressively large structure which projects dorsally and anteriorly above the prosencephalon. The complex was examined by light microscopy in several age classes of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) and from juvenile loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta). The paraphysis is extensively fused to the distal portion of the pineal body, suggesting an interrelated function for these two tissues. No duct or canal was observed connecting the pineal lumen to the third ventricle. Two pineal cell types are described which appear to correspond to the neuroglial supportive cells and the secretory rudimentary photoreceptor cells of other amniotic vertebrates. A possible luminal secretion in the form of apical protrusions is produced by the latter cell type. No typical photoreceptive outer segments were observed.

Notizen: The fine structure of the wax gland of Anomoneura nymph and its metamorphic change were investigated. In the nymph, this organ encircles the anus, and consists of two kinds of cells, derived from epidermal cells: (1) very tall, slim wax cells, which produce and secrete the wax, and (2) flat interstitial cells found among the wax cells. The whole gland is covered by a wax-secreting cuticle with a delicate surface sculpture. Each wax cell has a long, wide duct which opens at the cuticle and penetrates the entire cell. Its cytoplasm is rich in mitochondria and smooth endoplasmic reticulum while that of interstitial cells contains rough endoplasmic reticulum. During each nymphal molt, the cluster of primordial wax gland cells  -  derived from the epidermis  -  proliferates rapidly and forms the gland of the next instar. The gland of the preceding instar meanwhile degenerates. Interstitial cells play an important role in cuticle formation and shedding at each molt. These cells alone produce and deposit the new cuticle of the next instar; the wax cells, specialized for wax production, cannot produce cuticle. The apical portion of the wax cell is cut off from the main cell body by growth of the surrounding interstitial cells. Thereafter, the wax cells degenerate, resulting in the rapid disappearance of the previous instar's wax gland. Adults lack this gland entirely.

Notizen: The dorsal ventricular ridge (DVR) is a subcortical, telencephalic structure in reptiles and birds that protrudes into the lateral ventricle. The structure of DVR has been studied in the red-eared turtle (Pseudemys scripta elegans) in Nissl and Golgi preparations. The DVR in Pseudemys is divided into the anterior dorsal ventricular ridge (ADVR) and the basal dorsal ventricular ridge (BDVR) by the dorsal branch of the middle ventricular sulcus. The structure of ADVR has been examined in detail.The ADVR is divided into four regions with distinct boundaries termed dorsal area, medial area, ventral area and central area. Dorsal area, medial area and ventral area border on the lateral ventricle; central area lies deep to the other areas. Three classes of neurons are found in Golgi preparations of ADVR. Juxtaependymal cells have somata near the perikarya of ependymal cells; their dendrites are found primarily in a periventricular fiber zone. Aspiny neurons were observed only in the dorsal half of ADVR and appear to be restricted to deep regions of the ridge. These multipolar neurons are rarely encountered in Golgi preparations, and the observed distribution may not represent their actual distribution in ADVR. The majority of the cells observed in ADVR are spiny neurons with dendritic fields that range from stellate to double-pyramidal. Cells in this class may be subdivided on the basis of axonal morphology into at least two groups, but further studies are needed to determine the range of axonal morphology exhibited by these neurons.An analysis of the distribution of these cell types in Golgi material shows that dorsal area, medial area and ventral area are organized in four zones concentric with the ventricular surface. Central area apparently lacks a concentric pattern of organization. Zone 1 is a periventricular fiber band that contains juxtaependymal neurons and ascending dendrites of zone 2 spiny neurons, and it may serve as a structural substrate for segregated input onto these cell populations. Zone 2 contains clusters of spiny neurons with apposed somata, which vary in size and distribution between areas. Dendrites of zone 4 neurons are also found in the deep half of zone 2. Zone 3 is a cell-poor region which lies at the center of a region of overlapping dendritic fields of zone 2 and zone 4 neurons. Zone 4 contains predominantly spiny neurons (aspiny neurons are found only in the dorsal half of ADVR) which are either isolated or in small clusters with apposed somata. Dendrites of zone 2 cells extend superficially into zone 4, so that the deep portions of zone 4 may be a substrate for segregated input to zone 4 neurons. These zones are differentially elaborated in each area. Central area, by contrast, consists of scattered spiny and aspiny neurons among fibers connecting ADVR and the lateral forebrain bundle.A comparison of these findings with the ADVR of snakes (Ulinski, '78a,b) shows both similarities and differences in DVR organization in the two taxa. Although snakes lack areal divisions, ADVR is organized in four concentric zones (zones A-D). Zones A and B resemble zones 1 and 2 in turtles, consisting of a superficial fiber zone and a subjacent cell cluster zone. The clusters are smaller in snakes than in turtles. However, snakes lack a cell-poor band deep to zone B, and dendrites of cells in zone C enter zone A. Thus, there are differences in both areal and zonal dimensions of ADVR organization in turtles and snakes.

Notizen: Ultrathin sections of the nasal barbel of the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, were studied in the electron microscope and the fine structure was compared to that of barbels of other teleosts and to the mandibular (dentary) barbels of I. punctatus. While the overall histology of the nasal barbel is similar to that of barbels described previously, this study revealed far greater cellular complexity and variability than was previously reported. A layer of stratified epidermal cells rests upon a connective tissue dermis containing a cartilage rod, a large number of nerve fibers and numerous blood vessels, fibroblasts and pigment cells. Taste buds are present in the epidermal layer. This layer was found to contain probably 16 kinds of cell types, several of which may represent transitional stages, in addition to taste bud cells. Observations were made pertaining to innervation and cell types in the taste buds. A new terminology for designating the barbels of I. punctatus is suggested.

Notizen: New data on the brain of Latimeria indicate that previous estimates of the brain weight were too high by a factor of two. Our data suggest a brain weight of 1.1-1.5 grams for a specimen with a body weight of 30 kilograms. Quantitative data on major divisions of the brain are presented for the first time, and the relative size of the major brain divisions is similar to that of sturgeons and generalized sharks (such as hexanchids and squalids). Examination of brain component weight (s): body weight plots in a sample of non-teleost actinopterygian fishes indicates that all major divisions of the brain, except the telencephalon, are larger than in Latimeria. Brain component sizes in Latimeria are more similar to those extrapolated for amphibian brains than to those for actinopterygians. However, the cerebellum of Latimeria is considerably larger than that of amphibians.

Notizen: The Champy-Maillet osmium tetroxide-zinc iodide technique and a new method using azur B-sodium thioglycolate were used to study the general nervous tissue structure in planarians. A subepidermal and a submuscular nerve plexus, partially reported by earlier authors, are described, and a gastrodermal plexus is reported for the first time in triclads. The possible functions for each one of these plexuses are discussed. By the Champy-Maillet method, the innervation within the parenchyma appears as an array of numerous single nerve fibers that course between the parenchyma cells making apparent synaptic contacts. The pharynx has outer and inner nerve nets similar in structure to the submuscular nerve plexus. Both nerve nets are connected to each other by radial nerves.The central nervous system has a sponge-like structure with many lacunae filled with cell bodies, dorso-ventral muscle fibers, parenchymal cell processes and excretory ducts. The existence of this sponge-like nervous tissue structure is discussed in relation to the still incomplete centralization of the nervous tissue in these organisms, to the lack of a true vascular system and to the acoelomate level of organization. A comparison with the nervous tissue structure of more advanced groups like polyclads and nemertines is suggested.

Notizen: Secretion in the salivary glands of Gromphadorhina portentosa involves three cell types: parietal cells, secretory cells, and duct cells. The organization and role of the parietal and secretory cells are here considered. Parietal cells have numerous mitochondria, indicating an active metabolic role and the subsequent production of ATP. Plasma membrane invaginations and intracellular ductules containing microvilli appear to function in the absorption of solutes from the hemolymph and finely-tapered ductules. Secretory cells contain abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum, the three forms (stacked, vesicular, and diffuse) of which appear to develop sequentially during maturation. Secretory vesicle formation is asynchronous between adjacent secretory cells, and apparently the large vesicles often coalesce. The secretory vesicles also show differing degrees of electron density, indicating distinct biochemical composition.

Notizen: Studies were undertaken of the microcirculation and histology of the gill of Protopterus aethiopicus as a prerequisite for elucidating the function of the gills in a bimodal respiratory system. The lamellae of the gill-bearing arches (I, IV, V, VI) resembles the arborescent external gill of the larval amphibian rather than the gill of the teleost or selachian.The arterio-arterial system (a-a) of the gill consists of an afferent artery, a series of large capillaries, and an efferent artery on each of the primary, secondary and tertiary lamellae. There are no pillar cells and the loose capillaries are covered with a multilayered epithelium. While living in water, the minimum distance for gas exchange is of the order of 5 μ. An afferent-efferent arterial shunt at the base of each primary lamella may be involved in control of lamellar blood flow and the resistance of the gill vasculature.The arterio-venous system originates primarily from the efferent side of the arterio-arterial system and drains into large branchial veins. Numerous contractile cisternae, interposed between intercellular channels and veins, presumably function as micropumps that collect fluid from intercellular epithelial spaces and inject it into the venous circulation.During aestivation, the epithelial layer of the gill lamellae becomes thinner. The entire gill vasculature, including the capillaries and afferent-efferent shunts on arches IV-VI, are very dilated which presumably promotes blood flow through these gill arches to the lungs.

Notizen: The movements of the shoulder girdle of eight adult cats during overground stepping were studied, using standard slow motion cinematographic techniques. The patterns of activity of shoulder muscles were examined, using simultaneous intramuscular electromyography. Walking, trotting and galloping steps were analyzed from digitized single motion picture frame images. Angular movements of the shoulder girdle consist of biphasic flexion and extension of the shoulder joint and a monophasic flexion-extension alternation of the scapula on the thorax during each step cycle. In addition, the center of the scapula moves craniad during the swing phase and caudad during the stance phase with respect to a fixed reference point on the animal. Similar vertical movements of the center of the scapula also occur in each step cycle. Results of EMG studies of the 17 muscles capable of acting on the shoulder girdle indicate that three overall patterns of activity are found: (1) a pattern typical of extensor muscles, active during all the extension epochs; (2) a pattern typical of flexor muscles, active during the flexion epoch; and (3) a biphasic pattern of activity, active twice in each step. These data are used, along with a re-examination of previous models of the mechanics of the shoulder girdle of carnivores to examine the function and mechanics of shoulder motion. It is concluded that the rotary and translatory movements of the shoulder girdle during stepping combine to enhance step length.

Notizen: The most striking morphological feature of the ovarian epithelium of Cymatogaster is the presence of intercellular dilations during much of the year. These dilations increase markedly in volume during the several months prior to ovulation and fertilization, and decrease in volume during the months of embryogenesis and gestation. The epithelium then returns to its initial, relatively undifferentiated state. The extracellular material within the dilations likely is synthesized in the cells adjacent to or within the dilations. Apparently most of this material is released into the ovarian lumen when the apicolateral margins of adjacent epithelial cells pull apart; possibly it serves as nutrient for developing embryos.In addition to supporting embryogenesis, the ovarian epithelium also apparently is involved in sperm storage. Sperm are maintained within pockets in the ovarian epithelium for the several months between insemination and fertilization. The cells lining the sperm pocket do not develop the intercellular dilations characteristic of most of the ovarian epithelium, and sperm remain associated only with the sperm pocket cells.

Notizen: The antennae of Folsomia candida and Hypogastrura copiosa are provided with tactile hairs on all four segments and, in addition, with chemoreceptors on segments three and four. The cuticle of the thin-walled chemo-receptors of Folsomia, as in most other insects, is penetrated by many small pores uniformly distributed over the surface. In contrast, the cuticle of the thin-walled chemoreceptors of Hypogastrura is unusual in that a band of cuticle without perforations spirals around, or partly around, the hair. The cuticle between the spirals is very thin, and has extremely small openings in it. The tip of the antenna of Folsomia is thin, permeable to dyes in aqueous solution and apparently glandular. The antennal tip of Hypogastrura is definitely glandular.

Notizen: After hemisection of the spinal cord and medulla oblongata, a projection has been traced to the inner half of the tectal white of the tiger salamander, using Fink-Heimer degeneration staining. By microelectrode recording it was found that the tectal projection forms a topographic somatosensory map of the contralateral half of the body. This map is in register with the overlying retino-tectal visual projection. Using the Falck-Hillarp technique, it was found that the somatosensory tectal input is associated with yellow-fluorescing 5-hydroxytryptamine fibers.

Notizen: A comparative morphological study concerning typology and topography of chemoreceptors on the prothoracic legs of Calliphora vicina, Phormia terranovae and Musca domestica has been carried out. The typological criteria of Grabowski and Dethier ('54) and Hansen and Heumann ('71) were used. A single criterion, the shape of the tip, was used to define the different types of chemoreceptors.A-hairs have a rhombic pore at the side of the tip; B-hairs have an oval pore at the tip apex and D-hairs have a rectangular pore under an undulated, cap-like structure at the hair tip. A-, B-and D-hairs were found in the tarsomeres of Phormia; in Musca and Calliphora only B- and D-hairs were found. An opening and closing mechanism may operate on the pores of the tips of the chemoreceptors. Chemoreceptors were counted and a topographical map was completed, using SEM-techniques. Topographical maps are of value in electrophysiological and behavioural research, where only a limited optical magnification is possible.

Notizen: The structures of the lantern tracheoles of three genera of flashing fireflies are compared. All three genera have stiff, reinforced tracheoles which resist folding or collapsing under conditions which flatten more typical tracheoles. This common specialization supports the hypothesis that the tracheoles play a major role in flash control in these fireflies, especially as the morphological basis of the stiffening is different in the three genera. Study of the tracheoles of other tissues reveals that there is great variety in structure and flexibility of these vessels from tissue to tissue and organism to organism, suggesting that tracheolar specialization may be a general phenomenon, with the fine structure of these air tubes being tailored to the particular demands and conditions of the tissues in which they are found.

Notizen: Tibiotarsal segments of 12-day chick embryos homozygous for the crooked neck dwarf gene (cn/cn) were examined histologically following routine methods of preparation. The myogenic mass fails to divide into separate muscle bundles during the early stages of differentiation. Myoblasts and myotubes are observed, although the proportion favors the mononucleate cell population. Multinucleate myotubes are often wavy in appearance and many contain eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusions. The entire tissue mass of mutants appears more compacted than in control limbs. Poor organization of muscle appears related to the lack of a suitable connective tissue system. Epimysia, perimysia, and subcutaneous connective tissue fail to develop properly. Tendons are poorly developed or absent. Comparisons between mutant and control embryos show no differences in peripheral innervation. Nerve fascicles penetrate deeply into the developing muscle of both species. The distribution of vascular elements is seemingly normal also. Skeletal muscle of cn/cn embryos is capable of differentiating to the myotube stage, after which it undergoes cellular degeneration without achieving a functional state. Comparisons of this mutant with alleged chemical phenocopies show important differences.

Notizen: The histology and carbohydrate histochemistry of eight teleostean stomachs are compared. Three gross anatomical types of stomachs are described and their shapes appear to correlate somewhat with feeding habits. Each type can be divided histologically into a corpus and pylorus. Gastric glands, containing only one cell type, occur in the copora of all species, but are present in the pylori of esocids only. As a single cell can produce both enzymes and hydrochloric acid such cells may be comparable to those of amphibians but not mammals. Lamina propria and submucosa are indistinctly separated in corpora but better defined in pylori by an intervening muscularis mucosa. The arrangement of the muscularis into inner circular and outer longitudinal layers is the opposite of that seen in the esophagus. Gastric mucous cells show species variations in localization of epithelial mucosubstances, which in broad terms are recognized as sulfomucins, sialomucins and neutral mucosubstances. A piscivorous diet does not appear to demand any particular type of carbohydrate. Within the Centrarchidae, gastric pit cells vary in carbohydrate content from only neutral mucosubstance to only weakly acidic sulfomucin; two species contain both types. A positive PAS reaction on the surface of gastric epithelial cells is suggestive of a striated border and thus possibly absorptive function. The absence of stomachs in some teleosts and the evolutionary and dietary significances are discussed.